Stories
Studying in Australia Gets Tougher: Visa Rules, High Costs Hit Indian Students
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News18•01-10-2026, 18:04
Studying in Australia Gets Tougher: Visa Rules, High Costs Hit Indian Students
- •Studying and working in Australia has become more challenging for Indian students due to tightened visa and migration rules.
- •Students like 23-year-old Shiny from Delhi find Melbourne's cost of living much higher than expected, struggling to cover expenses.
- •Indian students remain one of the largest groups in Australia, but the total number of international students has decreased.
- •Despite a minimum wage of approximately ₹1,760 per hour, students face difficulties securing enough work hours and covering rising costs.
- •Job hunting is a major challenge; Shiny applied for 300 jobs but received only 2-3 responses.
Key Questions Answered
As of July 1, 2026, the national minimum wage in Australia is A$26.44 per hour, which amounts to approximately ₹1,760 per hour in Indian rupees.
The Australian government raised the standard student visa application fee by 25 percent to AUD 2,500, effective July 2026, following previous hikes to AUD 2,000 in 2025 and AUD 1,600 in 2024.
International students on a general student visa can typically work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. However, there are no limits on working hours during official course breaks, allowing students to work unlimited hours.
